A new poll has sparked fresh debate in American politics: Can Donald Trump legally run for a third term as president? According to nearly half of MAGA Republicans, the answer is yes, even though the U.S. Constitution says otherwise.
In a recent Surveyusa poll of 2,491 registered voters, 21% of all respondents said Trump was eligible for a third term in the White House. However, among voters who identify with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, that number jumped to 49%.
This idea of Trump serving beyond two terms has triggered reactions from all sides—legal experts, political allies, and even Trump himself.
What the Constitution Actually Says
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is clear:
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
This amendment was passed after Franklin D. Roosevelt won four terms, setting a two-term limit for all future presidents. It also says that if someone serves more than two years of another president’s term, they can only be elected once more.
So, based on the law, Trump, now serving his second full term, cannot run again. But MAGA supporters and some Republican leaders think there might be ways around it.
What the Poll Found
The poll, conducted between April 2 and April 6, revealed a deep divide:
- 71% of all voters said Trump is not eligible for another term.
- 91% of Democrats and 78% of independents agreed with that view.
- Among all Republicans, 45% believed he could not run again, while 42% said he could.
- Among MAGA Republicans, 49% said he can run for a third term, while 36% disagreed.
- Among non-MAGA Republicans, 64% said Trump cannot run again, while 28% said he could.
The poll had a margin of error of ±2.1%, but it’s clear that Trump’s base strongly believes a third term is possible.
Is Trump Serious About a Third Term?
While Trump has joked for years about staying in office longer, he recently told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he’s not kidding anymore. He said there are “methods” to make it happen.
He hinted at one method: running for Vice President in 2028. Trump suggested that his current vice president, JD Vance, could run as the presidential nominee. If elected, Vance could then resign, making Trump the president again.
But that plan may not work. According to the 12th Amendment, anyone who is ineligible to be president is also ineligible to be vice president. That would block Trump from running as VP if he can’t legally be president again.
What Trump Allies Are Saying
Trump isn’t the only one floating the idea. His former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, told Bill Maher on April 11 that:
“President Trump is going to run for a third term, and he’s going to be elected again.”
Bannon also said there’s a “team of people” working on how to bypass the 22nd Amendment, though he didn’t provide details. He previously argued that because Trump’s terms are not consecutive, the Constitution might allow a third term.
A Move to Change the Constitution?
One Republican lawmaker has already taken action. In January, Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow a president to serve three terms, as long as no more than two are consecutive.
His proposal would allow Trump to run again in 2028 but block former presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who served two back-to-back terms.
However, changing the Constitution is extremely difficult. It requires:
- Two-thirds approval in both the House and the Senate, and
- Ratification by 38 states.
That means this amendment is unlikely to succeed, especially with a divided Congress.
What Critics Are Warning
Legal experts have raised alarms. Philip Klinkner, a government professor at Hamilton College, told Newsweek:
“If Trump stays in office past 2029, it would mean American democracy is no longer functioning.”
He added that it would prove there are no longer any laws or systems capable of limiting a president’s power.
Even Trump’s ally, Attorney General Pam Bondi, said on Fox News:
“Trump’s served one full term. He’s now in his second. I wish we could have him for 20 years, but he’ll probably be done after this.”
What Happens Next?
Unless the Constitution is changed, Trump legally cannot be elected president again. If he tries, he will likely face multiple lawsuits, including cases that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
This poll, however, clearly shows that many MAGA supporters are open to the idea of Trump staying in power, regardless of legal limitations. This shows how deeply Trump’s influence runs in his base and how fragile constitutional norms have become in U.S. politics.
For now, the third-term conversation is more of a political strategy than a legal reality. But in today’s unpredictable climate, nothing is off the table.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
